JOHOR BARU: The Sultan Ismail International Airport has now been renamed Senai International Airport following a letter issued by the state government a month ago.

The letter which carried out a decree from the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, instructed that the name to be changed with immediate effect, said state secretary Datuk Obet Tawil.

"The Sultan has instructed for the airport to be renamed and it has been in effect about a month ago," said Obet recently.

Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATSSB) is currently embarking on a 20-year master plan to develop and enhance the airport to boost growth as well as to propel the airport and its surrounding development towards an integrated airport city.

The airport has undergone a major refurbishment.

Among others, it involves the upgrading of the passenger terminal, extension of runway, new indoor and outdoor car park and construction of new cargo terminal, enhancement of the aerodrome and development of non-aeronautical areas such as commercial and aerospace park.

Senai International airport now has the capability to handle up to 3.5 million passengers per year and 80, 000 tonnes of cargo per year.

The Aeromalls sets a new vibe for passengers and visitors in shopping and dining experience.

To date, there are three major airlines operating in Senai Airport, namely Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and Air Asia.

In another development on improving aviation and airport collaboration between Senai International Airport and Changi Airport, Senai Airport Terminal Services deputy chief executive officer Suffian Baharuddin said there were many areas the two airports would co-operate to grow air travel and aviation activities for both countries.

"We look forward to discuss such opportunities and we are hopeful that there would be positive outcomes which would provide mutual benefits for both airports and both countries," said Suffian.

The strengthening of collaboration was proposed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong during a meeting in Putrajaya recently.